Tribeca To Feature Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro, Judd Apatow And More In Panel Series

The 2012 Tribeca Film Festival revealed its panel series as well as six new titles that will world premiere at the upcoming event. Narrative films Freaky Deaky and Future Weather as well as documentaries Portrait Of Wally and Once In A Lullaby: The PS22 Chorus Story will screen as part of the “Tribeca Talks: After the Movie” series, the documentary Wagner’s Dream will premiere as part of the festival’s new “Beyond the Screens: Globalize Your Thinking” series, and the narrative Knife Fight will have a screening with an extended Q&A.

Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep and Judd Apatow will take part in a tribute panel to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Universal Pictures, moderated by Deadline’s Mike Fleming. Additional panels include conversations with Susan Sarandon and Michael Moore; director Jim Sheridan and his daughter Naomi Sheridan; as well as Rob Lowe and Christian Slater. The Tribeca Talks panel series is open to the public and will take place throughout the festival, which runs April 18-29 at locations around New York City. Here’s the lineup:

Tribeca Talks

Special “Tribeca Talks” Events:

100 Years of Universal
Special event exclusively for American Express Cardmembers In celebration of 100 years of Universal Pictures, join us for a conversation with iconic actors and directors Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep and Judd Apatow as they share their favorite moments and memories from Universal’s extraordinary history. Moderated by Film Editor for Deadline Hollywood Mike Fleming.
DATE: Thursday, April 19

Knife Fight – (regular ticket price)
Directed and written by Bill Guttentag. (USA) – World Premiere
Rob Lowe is Paul Turner, a maverick political strategist struggling to keep his wayward clients—including a philandering Kentucky governor and a California senator being blackmailed—in office and out of the scandal sheets. This tightly wound dramatic satire from two-time Oscar®-winning director and TFF alum Bill Guttentag (Nanking) shows us what our political leaders are really made of. With Julie Bowen, Eric McCormack, Jennifer Morrison, and Carrie-Anne Moss.
Join us for a conversation with writer/director Bill Guttentag, writer and co-producer Chris Lehane, actor Rob Lowe, and campaign strategist Steve Schmidt as they discuss presidential campaigns and how politics are spun. Moderated by MSNBC senior political analyst and co-author of Game Change Mark Halperin.
DATE: Wednesday, April 25

Illicit Networks: Portrayal through Film – (free) Tribeca Enterprises and Google Ideas team up for this unique free panel addressing Hollywood’s portrayal of illicit networks that traffic everything from narcotics and weapons to body parts and human beings. Experts, law enforcement participants, and survivors will use what we learn from film to examine the mysterious and misunderstood world of illicit trafficking. At a moment when illicit networks are increasing physical and systemic violence and 2 percent of the world’s trade is in illicit goods, this panel of experts will separate fact from fiction to launch a critical dialogue. Moderated by Jared Cohen, Director of Google Ideas.
DATE: Wednesday, April 25

Avant-Garde Masters: A Decade of Film Preservation
The Avant-Garde Masters grants were created in 2003 by the National Film Preservation Foundation and The Film Foundation to preserve American Avant-Garde cinema. Funded by The Film Foundation, the program has helped save more than 90 films in its first decade, making many works available to audiences for the first time since their creation. The Tribeca Film Festival presentation celebrates the program’s 10th anniversary with classics by Abigail Child, Larry Gottheim, George Kuchar, Carolee Schneemann, and many more.
After the Movie: Stay for a conversation with filmmakers Carolee Schneemann, Abigail Child, Larry Gottheim and TFF experimental film programmer Jon Gartenberg. Moderated by Assistant Director of the National Film Preservation Foundation Jeff Lambert. DATE: Saturday, April 21

Freaky Deaky
Directed by Charles Matthau. (USA) – World Premiere.
From the limitless imagination of Elmore Leonard comes this thrilling throwback to the decadent Los Angeles of the ’70s. A disgraced cop gets a shot at a comeback when a beautiful young actress needs help taking down a powerful movie producer. Extortion, treachery, and dynamite are just a few of the complications that stand between him and the woman he loves. Billy Burke, Christian Slater, Crispin Glover, and Michael Jai White star.
After the Movie: Stay for a conversation with novelist Elmore Leonard, director/screenwriter Charles Matthau, actors Christian Slater, Crispin Glover, Michael Jai White, and Andy Dick.
DATE: Sunday, April 22

The Virgin, the Copts and Me
Directed by Namir Abdel Messeeh. (France, Qatar) – North American Premiere.
Hosted by the Doha Film Institute.
In his feature debut, French-Egyptian filmmaker Namir Abdel Messeeh sets out to investigate the phenomenon of supposedly miraculous Virgin Mary apparitions in Egypt’s Coptic Christian community. But when the secular director faces opposition from skittish producers and his Coptic family, Namir turns the camera on his wonderfully smart-alecky mother and reimagines his film as a touching, uniquely hilarious portrait of family and heritage.
After the Movie: Stay for a conversation with director Namir Abdel Messeeh and other notable guests on cultural identity and contemporary international filmmakers who explore diaspora identities and a journey to their roots.
DATE: Wednesday, April 25

WarGames Directed by John Badham (1983).
Sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation as part of the TFI Sloan Film Program, now in its 11th year.
At the forefront of popular computer hacking in the 1980s, WarGames takes on advances in national security and the vulnerabilities of new technology as the backdrop for a coming-of-age thriller starring Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy. Almost 30 years after its release, John Badham and Lawrence Lasker’s Oscar®-nominated film speaks to contemporary concerns of modern-day network security, gaming technology, and hacking culture. After the Movie: Stay for a conversation with director John Badham, actress Ally Sheedy, Bitcoin Technical Lead Gavin Andresen and William D. Casebeer, PhD, Program Manager, Defense Sciences Office at DARPA (USAF, retired), and more about the historical relationship between military strategy and technical innovation, storytelling with gaming and simulation tools, and the challenges of depicting cutting-edge technology on the big screen.
DATE: Saturday, April 28

Portrait of Wally
Directed by Andrew Shea. (USA, Austria) – World Premiere.
In 1939, Nazis seized control of Austrian art collector Lea Bondi’s beloved Egon Schiele painting “Portrait of Wally.” For 70 years the Bondi family fought to reclaim the painting in a battle that pitted them against the likes of the Austrian government, billionaire art collectors, MoMA, and NPR. Director Andrew Shea’s documentary is a fascinating and intricate detective story that highlights the struggle between doing what is right and doing what is convenient.
After the Movie: Stay for a conversation with director Andrew Shea, critic and journalist David D’Arcy, Jane Kallir of Galerie St. Etienne, historian and attorney Willi Korte, and Chief of the Asset Forfeiture Unit at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York Sharon Cohen Levin about the issues of provenance and the global sharing of art in museums.
DATE: Saturday, April 28

Once in a Lullaby: The PS22 Chorus Story Directed by Jonathan Kalafer. (USA) – World Premiere.
The PS22 chorus from Staten Island became world famous after their YouTube videos went viral. This feel-good documentary follows them to their big performance as the closing act at the 2011 Academy Awards® ceremony, where creative differences, lost voices, and homesickness threaten their performance. Can these 5th graders entertain the entertainment elite?
After the Movie: Stay for a conversation with director Jonathan Kalafer, PS22 chorus teacher Gregg Breinberg, Executive Director of the Office of the Arts and Special Projects at the New York City Department of Education Paul King, and more on how new media arts in the classroom can breathe new life into students’ curricula, capture their attention, and spark eagerness to learn. Moderated by Tribeca Film Institute Education Program Developer Caitlin Meisner.
At the beginning of the program, President of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Kerry Kennedy will introduce the winner of the Speak Truth to Power student video competition, sponsored by the RFK Foundation and New York United Teachers. The winning short, Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt Movement, will show prior to the screening and showcase student work within the Festival.
DATE: Sunday, April 29

Future Weather
Directed by Jenny Deller. (USA) – World Premiere
Abandoned by her dreamer single mom, a teenage loner becomes obsessed with ecological disaster, forcing her and her grandmother, a functioning alcoholic, to rethink their futures. Inspired by a New Yorker article on global warming, Future Weather uses the refuge of science and the environment as a backdrop to examine the intertwining lives of three generations of women. Starring Lili Taylor, Amy Madigan, and Perla Haney-Jardine, this film received support from the Tribeca Film Institute’s TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
After the Movie: Stay for a conversation with writer/director Jenny Deller, producer Kristin Fairweather, actress Lili Taylor, and more on how an article about a scientific and environmental issue planted the seed for an intimate fiction film, and inspired an environmentally sensitive production.
DATE: Sunday, April 29

Beyond the Screens: Globalize Your Thinking

Let Fury Have the Hour Directed Antonino D’Ambrosio. (USA) – World Premiere. A generation of artists used their creativity as a response to the reactionary politics that came to define our culture in the 1980s. This dynamic and exhilarating documentary brings together more than 50 big-name musicians, writers, artists, and thinkers to trace a momentous social history from the cynical heyday of Reagan and Thatcher to today—and impart a message of hope. Featuring Chuck D, John Sayles, Eve Ensler, Tom Morello, Lewis Black, and many others.
After the Movie: Stay for a conversation with director Antonino D’Ambrosio, film collaborator and artist Shepard Fairey, the MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer, playwright and activist Eve Ensler, and more as they discuss the power of artistic expression.
DATE: Monday, April 23

The List Directed by Beth Murphy. (USA) – World Premiere.
Supported by the Tribeca Film Institute.
After leading rebuilding teams in war-torn cities in Iraq, Kirk Johnson returned to America to establish and advocate for a growing number of Iraqi citizens now targeted by radical militias because they aided the U.S. in the reconstruction effort. TFF alum Beth Murphy (Beyond Belief) creates an affecting portrait of an unlikely but passionate humanitarian who has championed the cause of Iraqi refugees largely ignored by the U.S. government.
After the Movie: Stay for a conversation with director Beth Murphy, film subject Kirk Johnson, Executive Director and Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Paul Rieckhoff, and others about the current state of Iraqis seeking asylum and issues surrounding post-traumatic stress disorder in soldiers and refugees. Moderated by The New Yorker’s George Packer.
DATE: Tuesday, April 24

Wagner’s Dream Directed by Susan Froemke. (USA) – World Premiere.
For perhaps the most ambitious project in its famed history, the Metropolitan Opera commissioned visionary director Robert Lepage to stage a new production of opera’s most formidable masterpiece: Richard Wagner’s four-part Ring Cycle. Shot over five years, Susan Froemke’s documentary captures the unprecedented challenges of bringing Lepage’s electrifying production to life. Featuring such opera luminaries as Deborah Voigt, the film is a rare and engrossing look at the artistic process.
After the Movie: Stay for a conversation about this incredible artistic journey with filmmakers Susan Froemke and Bob Eisenhardt, the Met’s General Manager Peter Gelb, opera soprano Deborah Voigt and tenor Jay Hunter Morris. Moderated by “the Voice of the Met” Margaret Juntwait.
DATE: Wednesday, April 25

Tribeca Talks: Industry” (Free)

Film and Brands Brands and filmmakers are increasingly collaborating on film projects to achieve a range of objectives from marketing and public relations to corporate storytelling and philanthropy. As the number of projects as well as the platforms for distribution increase, the bar has been raised for how to make these projects effective corporate storytelling pieces as well as quality filmmaking. Join producer and director Brett Ratner, American Express’ Vice President of Global Media, Sponsorship and Experiential Marketing Rich Lehrfeld, GE’s Global Executive Director of Advertising and Branding Judy Hu, the Norman Lear Center’s Managing Director and Director of Research Johanna Blakley; and Chief Marketing Officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill Mark Crumpacker for a conversation about how they are collaborating and where this increasingly complex and sophisticated world is heading. Moderated by Jon Patricof, President and Chief Operating Officer of Tribeca Enterprises.
DATE: Friday, April 20

Imagine More
Sponsored by Canon.
Project Imagin8ion was the first photo contest to inspire a Hollywood film, resulting in the Ron Howard production when you find me, shot using Canon cameras. Join us for a screening of this short film, followed by a discussion with Canon representatives and filmmakers about the versatility of shooting with Canon cameras and creating films through collaborative storytelling. Panelists include Canon USA Technical’s Chuck Westfall, The Russian Winter director Petter Ringbom, CatCam director Seth Keal, and others.
DATE: Sunday, April 22

The Business of Entertainment
Sponsored by Bloomberg.
Now in its second decade as a signature sponsor of TFF, Bloomberg returns with its Business of Entertainment program at the Festival. This year’s discussion, entitled “Going Global: Will Co-Production Save the Film Industry?” will focus on the recent rise of international co-production, exploring the benefits and obstacles of this often complex but rewarding strategy. Bloomberg convenes major producers, financiers, and other key industry decision-makers who play leading roles in financing today’s film and entertainment industries. Panelists include co-producer of The Girl and CEO of Bonita Films Tania Zarak, Chairman and CEO of Endgame Entertainment James D. Stern, and Director of European Film and TV Group, Exclusive Media, Ben Holden. Moderated by Bloomberg News entertainment reporter Michael White.
DATE: Monday, April 23

The Future is Short: Storytelling in the Digital Age Sponsored by GE / FOCUS FORWARD – Short Films, Big Ideas
As the Internet and other platforms like Hulu, Netflix, Yahoo!, and the New York Times become more commercially viable as distribution outlets for good stories told through film, the opportunities for creating original short-form content have never been bigger, or more lucrative. What do content producers want from original episodic or serial programs, and how do filmmakers who’ve dipped their toes in short-form storytelling, even as brief as three minutes, feel about the work they’ve done? Where might it all be headed? Join CINELAN co-founder Morgan Spurlock (Mansome), filmmaker Annie Sundberg (Knuckleball!), Jason Spingarn-Koff of the New York Times Op-Docs series, and others to discuss the power, art, and business of short-form storytelling. Moderated by Jason Wishnow, Director of Film and Video at TED.
DATE: Tuesday, April 24

Does the Cloud have a Silver (Screen) Lining?
Sponsored by SAP.
We have seen the major studios launch cloud-based solutions to respond to shifting consumer content consumption patterns. The emergence of the tablet as a serious “screen” and the proliferation of online digital platforms provide filmmakers and distributors unique opportunities to develop a direct audience relationship. In this landscape, what’s the best model for independent films to reach audiences and make money out of new distribution opportunities? Join Jeffrey A. Hirsch, Executive VP and CMO at Time Warner Cable, other industry executives, and filmmakers for a discussion about navigating today’s digital marketplace. Moderated by Richard Whittington, senior VP of media and entertainment at SAP.
DATE: Thursday, April 26

New Filmmakers on Film
Sponsored by Panavision. Panavision’s New Filmmaker Program has helped young directors and cinematographers break into the industry for the past 25 years, supporting films such as Requiem for a Dream and Napoleon Dynamite. While a growing number of filmmakers turn to digital technology, Panavision’s grant program still offers artists the chance to shoot on film by providing them with exclusive camera packages with legendary Panavision lenses, as well as a wide range of digital cameras. Join Una Noche director Lucy Mulloy, Kodak’s US Account Manager of Features and Post-Production Bob Mastronardi, cinematographer Guy Godfree, and other film artists as they discuss the program and new opportunities for emerging talent. Moderated by Panavision’s New Filmmaker Program Manager, Mike Dallatorre.
DATE: Friday April 27

Tribeca Talks: Pen to Paper (Free)

Biography on Film
In biographical documentaries, the personal moments and drama of an individual’s life are captured in interviews and every day or behind-the-scenes footage. Seems simple, but in reality there is also the equally important influence of writing and storytelling. Join us as TFF filmmakers Ramona S. Diaz (Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey), Petter Ringbom (The Russian Winter), Andreas Koefoed (Ballroom Dancer), and Daniel A. Miller (Évocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie), and more discuss the unique ways in which they explored the life of a real individual and shaped that person’s story into a film.
DATE: Friday, April 20

The Pen Versus the Sword Social change can be implemented through a variety of creative methods—from artists who write and create work that makes people look at society from a new perspective, to bloggers spreading information, opinions, and images to those who need it most, to regular individuals speaking out. Hear from TFF filmmakers Antonino D’Ambrosio (Let Fury Have the Hour), Raymond De Felitta (Booker’s Place: A Mississippi Story), and Stephen Maing (High Tech, Low Life) on how writing and action can make an impact in the world. Moderated by film and culture critic Caryn James.
DATE: Saturday, April 21

Based on the Book Successfully adapting a book to a film can be a challenging task. What are the elements that can best translate from the page to the screen? How faithful must the adaptation be to the original work? Is it possible to create a version of the story better than the book? TFF filmmakers Pen-ek Ratanaruang (Headshot), Charles Matthau (Freaky Deaky), Donald Rice (Cheerful Weather for the Wedding), and more discuss their experiences adapting fiction to film.
DATE: Sunday, April 22

Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival

ESPN Films: Beyond the Playing Field
Sponsored by Time Warner Cable. ESPN Films has become an industry heavyweight in the genre of sports filmmaking. With the success of 30 for 30, ESPN Films has broken away from what was traditionally thought of as a sports film and redefined the genre. By showcasing stories of passion, triumph, and loss, the resurgence of sports-themed films has never been stronger. Inspired by the 40th anniversary of Title IX, ESPN Films will air a series of nine documentaries in spring/summer of 2013 that will highlight women in sports, all by female storytellers. Join us for a conversation on the evolution of women’s sports with director Amy Berg, ESPN Films’ Libby Geist, producer and Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal, and filmmakers from upcoming ESPN Films. Moderated by ESPN’s Chris Connelly.
DATE: Saturday, April 21